Holiday Wishes

Good morning everyone.
Sorry for my delay in getting my post up this morning for the new challenge at Digi Makeover. It's been a sad morning for me. I basically got confirmation that my beloved Cricut Expression is officially dead.
It happened yesterday afternoon while I was cutting out name tag rings to be used on stem ware...mid project my cricut stopped moving the paper around and was making a loud grinding noise.
I tried all the resets and let it rest...still made the noises this morning. So I called Cricut support...but since it is 3 years old and outside the warranty time, they couldn't repair or replace it.

I know...silly to be so upset about a machine, but I've had a cricut machine for at least 5 years! It's become my focal point for everything I do! And now it's dead...I cried...a lot...and pulled the bottom off to look inside. I figured, it's already broke and they won't replace it...what harm will come from taking a look, right?
But I'm not up with the whole technology parts...so it looked like just a bunch of wires to me. Fortunately I have a computer-wize-husband who knows everything and will help me out tonight. But I'm sure it's done for and I will have to get something new :(

Any suggestions? I've looked at a few-the Black Cat Cougar cutter which looks ah-mazing! But way too expensive...anyone want to gift me one? :)
I've looked at the Silhouette Cameo and I'm leaning toward that one, but still need to research it. Can I use SVG files with the Cameo? I'd hate to have all my cut files go to waste...
I'd love your advise...any information is greatly appreciated :)

Anyhow, so onto my card.
I love every part of this card! The papers, the coloring, the flowers! It all just fit so perfectly together.

I used the super cute image Holly Fairy from Paper Makeup and colored her in with my colored pencils. Lately I've been struggling with my coloring...haven't felt like the images were turning out the way I wanted them to look. Or maybe I was just being really impatient and rushing through so I could finish the cards..I don't know but I haven't been happy. Until this image. It turned out exactly as I wanted it to and it's perfect for the paper I used. I slowed down and really focused on the colors and shading and making sure that it looked polished. I love it!

I added glossy accents to the holly berries and her buttons so they had a little shine to them.
Then I printed and cut out another one of my poinsettias. I colored it in with my copic sketch markers again but pulled the colors out farther onto the leaves so that it had more color to it than my original one here.

I punched out and made up some little roses to match the poinsettia and then layered some leaves behind it all. I had a flourish cut out from awhile ago, so I snipped a few of the swirls off and tucked them into the arrangement to help pull the black into the rest of the card. Then added my stamped sentiment flag and it was done! Love it!

Be sure to join us this week at Digi Makeover for our Lots of Layers challenge! And check out the rest of the design teams fabulous creations! They blow me away every week :)

Hi Emily! What a Stunning Card!! I love this image & How you've designed the whole card! Thank you so much for playing with us this week at Love to Create Challenge for our Lots of Layers Challenge! Can't wait to see what you'll create next week!

So sorry to here about your Cricut! I don't have any machine, just a cuttlebug that I use on a regular basis.Your card is absolutely gorgeous! Love all your layers! It's been great working with you and I look forward to seeing all your new creations! ;o)

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